PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Immamali Osman Durnagoz (ranked 2204 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexandros Margaritopoulos (ranked 2547 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Osman Durnagoz
vs
Margaritopoulos

180 cm
27
157 lbs
8 - 16 - 0

181 cm
25
157 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 16 - 0, fighting out of New York, Immamali Osman Durnagoz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alexandros Margaritopoulos!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Reed Andrews and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Margaritopoulos has Durnagoz up against the cage in a clinch.

Margaritopoulos breaks from the clinch.
Durnagoz looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Durnagoz tries to keep at a distance but Margaritopoulos has taken the fight into the clinch.
Margaritopoulos stalling in the clinch.
Durnagoz keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Margaritopoulos's efforts to push away.

Margaritopoulos pulls guard.
Durnagoz trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Margaritopoulos striking off his back but it's not causing Durnagoz any problems.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Durnagoz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Margaritopoulos swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Margaritopoulos thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Margaritopoulos is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Margaritopoulos throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Margaritopoulos is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Durnagoz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Margaritopoulos swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Margaritopoulos misses with a jab, cross combination.
Margaritopoulos tries to bum rush Durnagoz with a series of wild strikes but Durnagoz uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Margaritopoulos forces Durnagoz back against the cage and clinches.

Margaritopoulos drags the fight down to the ground.
Durnagoz has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Margaritopoulos striking off his back but it's not causing Durnagoz any problems.

Durnagoz drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Durnagoz jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Durnagoz is breathing heavily.
Margaritopoulos striking off his back but it's not causing Durnagoz any problems.
Durnagoz trying to control the position from guard on top but Margaritopoulos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Margaritopoulos is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Durnagoz is controlling him.
Durnagoz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Durnagoz trying to control the position from guard on top but Margaritopoulos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Margaritopoulos throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Margaritopoulos throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Margaritopoulos closes the distance and clinches.
Margaritopoulos tries to score a body lock takedown but Durnagoz shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Margaritopoulos jumps into guard, dragging Durnagoz to the mat.
Margaritopoulos will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Margaritopoulos doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Durnagoz stopping the sweep attempt from Margaritopoulos.
Margaritopoulos throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Margaritopoulos doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Margaritopoulos will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Margaritopoulos trying to strike off his back.
Margaritopoulos wants to stand and escape but Durnagoz is having none of it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Margaritopoulos has closed the distance and engaged Durnagoz in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Margaritopoulos is trying to drag Durnagoz to the mat but Durnagoz just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Durnagoz comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Margaritopoulos stalling against the cage.
Margaritopoulos is trying to force a seperation but Durnagoz has the dominant position.
Margaritopoulos wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Durnagoz has him pressed against the cage.
Margaritopoulos has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Durnagoz after a bit of a struggle.
Immamali Osman Durnagoz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexandros Margaritopoulos.

Durnagoz pulls guard effortlessly.
Margaritopoulos in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Margaritopoulos really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Durnagoz. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Margaritopoulos in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Durnagoz working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Margaritopoulos.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Margaritopoulos accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Margaritopoulos postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Margaritopoulos loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Durnagoz utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Margaritopoulos throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Durnagoz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Margaritopoulos makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Durnagoz utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Margaritopoulos throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Margaritopoulos loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Margaritopoulos throwing strikes but missing.
Margaritopoulos lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Durnagoz working a defensive guard here.
Margaritopoulos in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexandros Margaritopoulos dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Margaritopoulos scores with a three punch combo!

It looks like Immamali Osman Durnagoz has been cut.
Margaritopoulos has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Margaritopoulos closes the distance and pushes Durnagoz back into the cage.

Margaritopoulos turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Margaritopoulos postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Durnagoz taking punishment in the form of punches.
Margaritopoulos sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Durnagoz is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Margaritopoulos throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Durnagoz taking punishment in the form of punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Margaritopoulos misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Durnagoz wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Margaritopoulos working the ground and pound.
Margaritopoulos misses with the ground and pound.
Alexandros Margaritopoulos has got the better of the ground game so far.
Margaritopoulos misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Margaritopoulos is putting a hurting on Durnagoz here, landing some big shots from side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Durnagoz is looking for a sweep.
Durnagoz is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Margaritopoulos working the ground and pound.
Margaritopoulos misses with the ground and pound.
Margaritopoulos working the ground and pound.
Margaritopoulos sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Durnagoz is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Margaritopoulos lands a decent elbow from side control.
Margaritopoulos working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Margaritopoulos throws a strike aimed at the side of Durnagoz's head but Durnagoz avoids it well.
Durnagoz is trying to get back to half guard.
Margaritopoulos working the head and body with strikes.
Margaritopoulos tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Durnagoz parries the strikes from Margaritopoulos easily there. Margaritopoulos is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Durnagoz to escape.
Margaritopoulos lands some shots froms side control.
Margaritopoulos lands some shots froms side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Durnagoz avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Margaritopoulos.
Durnagoz is trying to get back to half guard.
Sloppy strikes there by Margaritopoulos.
Margaritopoulos in side control, throwing shots but Durnagoz defends.
Durnagoz on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Margaritopoulos in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Durnagoz is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Margaritopoulos is controlling him well.
Margaritopoulos throws a strike aimed at the side of Durnagoz's head but Durnagoz avoids it well.
Durnagoz defending against the ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Durnagoz managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Margaritopoulos.
Margaritopoulos works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Margaritopoulos in side control, throwing shots but Durnagoz defends.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Margaritopoulos working the head with strikes.
Margaritopoulos fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Margaritopoulos wants to stand but Durnagoz has his arm trapped.
Margaritopoulos lands a nice forearm strike.
Durnagoz manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Margaritopoulos missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Margaritopoulos slips a nice elbow through Durnagoz's hands, connecting with Durnagoz's forehead.
Margaritopoulos thows a huge punch but Durnagoz dodges it nicely.
Durnagoz keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Durnagoz is looking to control Margaritopoulos's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Durnagoz avoid being mounted?
Durnagoz gets back to full guard.
Durnagoz avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Margaritopoulos lands a couple of digs.
Durnagoz working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Margaritopoulos.
Durnagoz looking to control.
Durnagoz utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Durnagoz wants to stand up but Margaritopoulos is controlling him.
Margaritopoulos cracks Durnagoz with a solid left hand.
Margaritopoulos trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Margaritopoulos postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Durnagoz is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Margaritopoulos is controlling him.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Margaritopoulos drives through and clinches with Durnagoz against the cage.
Margaritopoulos tries to circle away but Durnagoz has him pinned against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexandros Margaritopoulos showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Immamali Osman Durnagoz's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Durnagoz gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Margaritopoulos breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Durnagoz walks into a left hand.
Durnagoz with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Margaritopoulos to score with a decent uppercut.
Some wild striking there from Margaritopoulos.
Margaritopoulos lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Margaritopoulos fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Margaritopoulos has taken the fight to the clinch.

Durnagoz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Margaritopoulos moves into the clinch.
Durnagoz tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Margaritopoulos smiles and moves away.

Margaritopoulos moves into the clinch successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Margaritopoulos drops down looking for an ankle pick but Durnagoz pulls his leg out and moves away.
Durnagoz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Margaritopoulos circles away.
Margaritopoulos fails in his attempt to clinch.

Margaritopoulos has closed the distance and engaged Durnagoz in a clinch.
Margaritopoulos tries to pull guard but Durnagoz forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Durnagoz manages to break the clinch.

Margaritopoulos gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Margaritopoulos drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Durnagoz gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Immamali Osman Durnagoz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexandros Margaritopoulos.

Margaritopoulos manages to break the clinch.
Margaritopoulos lands a jab to the head.
Margaritopoulos is looking to clinch.
Margaritopoulos scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Margaritopoulos misses with a few strikes there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Durnagoz tries to keep at a distance but Margaritopoulos has taken the fight into the clinch.
Margaritopoulos with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Durnagoz has clasped his hands together around Margaritopoulos's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Durnagoz tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Margaritopoulos tries to strike but it doesn't land.
The referee asks Durnagoz politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Durnagoz prefers to stall for the moment though.
Margaritopoulos wants to get back to his feet but Durnagoz drags him back down.
Margaritopoulos striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Margaritopoulos tries to buck Durnagoz off but Durnagoz is having none of it.
Margaritopoulos misses with a strike from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Margaritopoulos is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Margaritopoulos strikes from the bottom but Durnagoz takes advantage and advances to full mount!
Margaritopoulos throwing hammer fists to the chest of Durnagoz. What's that going to do exactly?
Durnagoz looking to control but Margaritopoulos is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Durnagoz blocks Margaritopoulos's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Margaritopoulos is trying to escape the mount.
Margaritopoulos gives up his back whilst trying to strike.
Margaritopoulos is in bad spot here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Margaritopoulos is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Durnagoz has both hooks in and is working for a choke. Margaritopoulos is in real trouble here. Durnagoz gets an arm under the chin and tightens the submission attempt... is this the end? Yes, Margaritopoulos is tapping out! Durnagoz wins by rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Immamali Osman Durnagoz!